A reply unto M. Hardinges answerA replie vnto M. Hardinges ansvveare

Now to put this matter that Luther judged it a thing indifferent, whither one receive the Sacrament under one kind or both, more out of doubt, Philip Melanchthon, his scholar, and nearest of his Counsaile,¹ writeth: Sicut edere suillam, aut abstinere a suilla, sic alterutra signi part uti medium esse. That as it is a thing indifferent to eat Swines flesh, or to forbear Swines flesh, so ⟨p. 109⟩it is also to use, which part of the sign a man listeth. By the word, Sign, he meaneth the Sacrament, liking better that strange word, then the accustomed word of the Church: least he might perhaps be thought of the brethren of his sect, in some what to join with the Catholics.

Now to put this mater that Luther iudged it a thinge indifferent, whither one receiue the Sacrament vnder one kinde or bothe, more out of doubte, Philip Melanch•on, his scholar, and nearest of his Counsaile,¹ writeth: Sicut edere suillam, aut abstinere a suilla, sic alterutra signi parte vti medium esse. That as it is a thinge indifferent to eate Swines fleashe, or to forbeare Swines fleashe, so ⟨p. 109⟩it is also to vse, whiche parte of the signe a man listeth. By the woorde, Signe, he meaneth the Sacrament, likinge better that straunge woorde, then the accustomed woorde of the Churche: least he might perhaps be thought of the bretherne of his secte, in some what to ioyne with the Catholikes.

1. 1In locis communibus.

Bucer also is of the same opinion, who in the conference that was had between the Catholics and protestants for agreement in controversies of religion at Ratisbone, confirmed, and allowed this article by his full consent with these words: Ad controversiam quae est de una aut utraque specie, tollendam, cum primis conducturum, ut sancta Ecclesia liberam faceret potestatem, Sacramentū hoc in una, vel in utraque specie sumendi. Ea tamen lege, ut nulli per hoc detur occasio, quem usum tantopere retinuit Ecclesia, temerè condennandi, aut inuicem judicandi. That the controversy for the one, or both kinds, may be taken away, it shall be very well done, that holy Church made it free, to receive this Sacrament in one or both kinds: yet under such condition, as hereby no occasion be given to any body, rashly to condemn the use, which the Church hath so long time kept, nor to judge one an other. Soothly he which would have it free and at liberty, to receive the Sacrament under one or both kinds, and holdeth opinion, that the old custom of the one kind only is not to be condemned, seemeth plainly enough to confess, that nothing hath been instituted or commanded of Christ touching this matter, as necessary to salvation.